My wife and I were married at the Thai Embassy in Kuwait. What can we do?

Question: My wife and I were married at the Thai Embassy in Kuwait. USCIS approved my wife’s visa application but at the Embassy interview, the final stage of the process, we were told that her visa was denied because our marriage is not valid. What can we do?

Answer by U.S. Immigration Legal Advisors in Bangkok ,Thailand: While your marriage is valid for all other purposes the Department of State does not accept Consular marriages or divorces valid for immigration purposes. You will need to marry in Thailand at a district office and completely re-file your wife’s spousal visa petition and start a new visa petition based on that marriage. You also qualify to file a K-1 fiancee visa petition as your consular marriage is not considered valid.